Sight feed indicator



May 23, l93,3- w. G. coLEs 1,910,752

SIGHT FEED INDICATOR Filed Sept. 5, 1932 Snventor G. C'o Zes B wk Gttornega.

Patented kMay 23, 1933 d ,oorjxaioif WisfoNsIKAssIGNoR To 'meorsonlirirr col'o-y s narrowernmmson, Wisconsrmgacoaronhron oF'-l WISCONSIN Y T :mmAToRf Y Application area september 3,--,1932; -serisi fno. camu;

This inveutionrelastes to sight feed indicators, v and" particularly to suchA devices adapted for use with l forcey feedi lubricating apparatus toindicatetheflovv'or la'cluo'f flow l, ori-:foil through-the system;-

It'is the primary purpose ofthe 'invention tofunishasi-ght feed indicator'in which the iiow indicating-movementsof the indicator element ofthede'vice-are quite definite and 1G readilyl observed by theattend'ant Although particularly designed fer-use with lubicati ing apparatus ofthesolid o'il, impulse type, use -o fthe device lwith lubricating :apparatus of ythe 'airlv and oil Edelivery typeor with continuous vHow lubricating'apparatus is contemplated. The device -is peculiarly adapted to indicate accurately the-flow impulses of the 'lubricant stream in the. firstunention'cd type of apparatus, irrespective of whether '2G these impulses occur rapidly or atlre}atively long intervals;

Definite indication 'of the fiow` ofsmall quantities of lubricant, even to thefextent oi?l passage of a. singledrop Ltherethrou h,is un important ,feature lof theJ device. indi-y catoi'- operates equal'ly'- well irrespective of the kind of lubricantused lin the apparatus, whilethc indicator element is clearly visible under all Iconditions-to show whether or not the vk:'ipparatus is working properly.

A further purpose ofthe `invention lis to which may be 'readily inserted ifnany type of lubiicatingsysten so as to forma umtai'y part thereof. The moving parts, of the ind-ii cator are completely kel'iclosed within the device, thereby preciudiiig possible leakage. Inclusion: oit'A onlyv a minimumv number of laits in the 'construction' considerably facili:

. Other features land objects ofthe linvention will appear frdm thedc'tai'led description below taken ink conjunction withy the ac-v F ig, 2 is-alike-vfview with the indicator plunger inV the extreme ri ht hand position whichfitf assur'nes'whenl lu ricant is flowing pro erlythroughtheindicator;

K 4ig. 3 is afsectionfon, lineB-'of Fig. 1 55 lookingin the direction ofthe arrows;.

Fig-4 isvaperspective view ofthe indi catorplunger removedvv from the device;f,

Fige visa sectionalview, similar to Fig. 1, of 'another formofth'e device, the parts 60 beingshown inthe fluid-flowing position of Fig`.2; and Y V, l

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the somewhat dif-r'entvform kof indicator plunger appearing'in the device of Fig. 5. n 65 In` the sight' feed indicator construction of Figs., 144, inclusive, ,11 represents the tubular metal vbody of the indicator. Indi# lcator body llfis provided "with diametrically opposed openings 12, 13, `thus frming clon-i 7o gated l side portions 14,",16rigidly connectl ing tubular end portions 17,18to`each othem Body end portion v17 is faceted at 19Ak for engagement lby asuitable tool iiiassembling the device, as explained "laterz, End portion '15 17 also is .formed with an external, thread- .edboss 21 through which extends a reduced passageway 22 opening'centrally into charnber 23 of'the tubular indicator body `11,"`

' Securedin'the outer end of 'passageway 80 22 is one end of' aftub'e 24 through which the lubricant flows from the source of supply, generally, a "force feed lubricator'of theinipulse'type, into the'fio'w indicator, and thence to the Ypart or parts to be lubricated. Near its end, tube 24'is provided' with a Xed, annu-lar'bead 26' preferably inthe form/of 'an' oppo'sitely taperefdcollar, with which engages an internally;tlireaded,"flanged nutv 27k mountedon boss `2,1: The outer end of passagewayv22 is slightly countersunk so that, by screwingup n ut 27, bead2bis forced' into firm contact with body end portion" 17 and tall possibility of leakage is re` vented at thiswpoint.' Tightly secure in 95 the inner endk of passageway 22, preferably by la' press fit, is a'ported'sleeve'vor valve body member 28 throughwhi'ch the lubricant is adapted to vdow into the indicator proper. Between its, ends, sleeve 28 is formed' with 100 an annular fiange 29 which abuts an annular seat 31 formed within body end portion 17 at the juncture of chamber 23 in the body and reduced passageway 22. Seat 31 not only limits the inward movement of sleeve 28 in assembling the device, but also serves to receive an annular cork or other gasket 32 which encircles sleeve 28.

Centralv bore 33 ofV sleeve 28 opens, near its inner end,`onto the periphery of the sleeve by way of a pair of transverse, aligned ports 34, 36. Slidably mounted in bore 33 of sleeve 28 is the stem 37 of an indicator element or plunger 38. The details of construction of indicator plunger 38 appear clearly in Fig. 4 where the plunger is shown removed from the indicator device.

A glass tube 39 is mounted in indicator body 11 with the inner end of the glass tube bearing against gasket 32. Glass tube 39 encloses ported sleeve 28 and plunger' 38, there being suflicient clearance provided between the glass tube and the plunger head so as to permit free passage of lubricant past the head and thus not interfere with the reiprocatory movements of the plunger, as explained later.

Body end portion 18 is threaded" at 41 to receive a tubular connector 42 having an internally threaded recess 40. Connector 42 is also formed with an annular seat 43 at the inner end of recess 40 on which is located a second annular cork or other gasket 44. Facets 46 are provided on connector 42 whereby the latter may be screwed up on indicator body 11 so as to force gasket 44 into tight contact with the outer end of glass tube 39, and the inner end of the glass tubeaintorclose contact with gasket 32 and its seat 31. In this manner there is prevented all possibility of leakage of lubricant from the indicator proper.

Tubular connector 42 is provided with an externally threaded boss 47 whereby the connector may be screwed directly into the bearing or other part to be lubricated. A reduced passageway 48 extends through connector 42 and its boss, and its inner end opens centrally into recess 4() formed in the body of the connector. An annular, axially-extending flange 49, surrounding the inner end of reduced passage 48, projects through gasket 44 and thus serves to retain the gasket in place on its seat. Flange 49 also extends into the end of glass tube 39, the inner end 51 of fiange 49 functioning as a seat for the outer end of the coil spring 52. The inner end of 1 coil spring 52 is seated in the socket or cup-shaped head of plunger 38. Spring 52, having been placed in position under tension, will serve, unless lubricant is flowing through the indicator, to force plunger 38 to the left and against the inner end of ported sleeve 28, as shown in Fig. 1. This, as stated, is the normal, inactive position of the indica-tor ele ment.

Plunger stem 37 is not closely fitted into bore of sleeve 28 so as to act as a seal to the passage of lubricant theretlirough. It is intended that the fit between these parts be close enough to prevent passage of as small a quantity as one drop of lubricant without causing plunger 38 to move to the right sufli cientlyfar to open ports 34, 36, as shown in Fig. 2, and also loose enough to permit lubricant to leak by stem 37 of the plunger when the latter is returned by spring 52 to the normal position. of Fig. 1, as explained in detail hereinafter. Y

In describing the operation of the device it will .be assumed that the force feed lubricator mechanism connected to tube 24 has been operating and tube 24 and all of the chambers and passa geways of the fiow indicator, including passageway 48 communicating with the part to be lubricated, are full of lubricant; also that indicator plunger38 is in its inactive position of Fig. 1.

If pressure is not applied to the column of lubricant to the left of plunger stem 37 so as to cause the lubricant to flow towards the right, coil spring 52 will maintain plunger 38 in this inactive position to indicate that the lubricant not flowing. The position of plunger 38 in glass tube 39 may be readily observed through either opening 12 or 13 of body 11. However, in order to increase its visibility, the peripheral surface of the metal plui'iger head is given a bright finish. Thus it is made certain that the relative position of the plunger in glass tube 39 may be seen, notwithstanding the intervening ,film of lubricant between the plunger head and side of the glass tube.

lVhen pressure is applied to the column of lubricant to the left of plunger stem 37, for instance by means of a feed impulse imparted thereto by the force feed lubricator, the lubricant column acts against stem 37 to force it towards the right against the resistance of coil spring 52. As the flow impulse continues, plunger stem 37 is moved sufficiently to the right to uncover outlet ports 34, 36, and thereby permit free passage of the lubricant into chamber 5() of glass tube 39. At the same time, plunger head 38 moves to the right to give a definite indication to the attendant that the lubricant column is moving and a charge of lubricant is being fed forward through the system to the part to be lubricated. It will be noted that in the position of Fig. 2, the portion of sleeve 28 to the right of ports 34, 36 forms a support or guide, which insures proper return movement of the plunger by spring 52.

It has been stated that the fit between plunger stem 37 and bore 33 is somewhat free so as to permit the return movement of the indicator plunger to the left after the feed impulse has ceased. The relative loosedropof lubricant is fed therethrough, be-

cause the feed impulse imparted to the lurbricantjcolumn or the momentary flow of the column is comparatively rapid. As a result, the moving column of lubricant serves -to force the indicator plunger tothe right to open ports 34, 36 before `any appreciable leakage of lubricant can occur between stem I37y and bore-33wand out through-the ports 3.4, 36. It is also believed that the cohesive y actionbetween stem 37 and the lubricant tending'vto escape between the stem and sleeve 28 `aids in the movement of the plunger to open port-s 34, 36.

As soon as stem 37 moves sufficiently to the right to openv ports 34, 36, even partially, the released lubricant flowing from ports 34, 36 acts against the under face of the head'of plunger 38 and aids in the rapid movementof the plunger stemy to the fully open or active position of Fig. 2. The clearance between the peripheral surface of plunger head 38 and the inside of glass tube 39, as stated, is designed to permit the lubricant to-pass freely by the plunger head and thus prevent anyr interference with the reciprocatory flow indicating movements of the plunger. 'At the same time, this clearanceis reduced to a minimum, commensurate'with efficient operation of the device, Ain orderto bring the peripheryv of plunger 38. as close as possible tothe inner surface of the, glass tube 39vand thereby render it clearly visible.

` Uponcessationrof'the flow impulse in the lubricant column to the left of plunger stem 37,coilspring52 functions to force plunger 38 to the lefttowards its normal; inactive position of Fig. 1. The return of plunger 38` to ltheleft is comparatively slow and depends, ofcourse, upon the strengthv of spring 52 and the rate offleakage of lubricant-between plunger stem 37 and the bore oflsleeve 28. Shortly after movement to the left from the position of Fig. 2, plunger stem-37 cuts `off` outlet ports 34, 36L and prevents the free passage of lubricant therethrough, the plunger then continuing its movement to the left` under the influence of spring 52 until it reaches the normal, inactive position of Fig. 1. Due to the clearance. between-thehead of plunger 38 and glass tube 39 and the loose fit between plunger stem 37 and the boore of sleeve 28, the operation of the device is, in effect, as though the plunger were floating in the column of lubricant, and were being intermittently moved backy and forth to the left or right by thefflow impulses and the action -of coil spring 52, to indicate the passage of a chargeof lubricant or the absence of .any such flow in the lubricant column.

FromV the above description, it will be seen that as successive impulses'are iniparted to the 'lubricant column 1n tube 24 by the force feed apparatus (not shown), plunger 38 will be moved to the right to definitely indicate each `flow impulse, the plunger being returned automatically rby spring 52 after each flow 4indication, so as to be in position to indicate the next flow impulse. Should there be noflow impulse through the device, the fact that the head of plunger 38 remains continuously in the normal, inactive position of Fig.v 1 will serve as a signal to theattendant that lubricant is not flowing through the line. Hence, sleeve 28 functions as a ported valve body Ymember, while. plunger stem 37 acts asa valve adapted to prevent or permit the free passage of lubricant through ports 34, 36, depending upon whether stem 37 is inthe inactive position of Fig. `1- or the active position of Fig. 2. It will be understood however, that at no time is the flow of lubricant past stem 37 cutoff.

In the operation of the device it is not essential that spring 52 function after each feed impulse indication to return the head of` plunger 38. tothe position of Fig. 1, with the under side ofv the. plunger head against sleeve 28. It is merely necessary that stem 37 moves sufficiently to the left to obstruct thefree passage of lubricant through ports 34, 3,6. n

Figs. and 6 show a modified form of ,the device which `includes all of the essen? tial elements of the preferred construct-ion shown I1n Figs. 144, inclusive. Hence, 1n Figs. 5 and 6, partscorresponding tov those `of the'construction ofV Figs. 1-4 are designated. by like reference characters, except they are primed. y

End portion 17 of body4 11 in this ,con-

structionis provided with ath'readed boss I' paratus, whereby the tube is tightly secured to the indicator body.

Indicator body portion 18 at the. opposite end of the device is threaded to receive the tubular connector 42 having a reduced passage 48 extending therethrough and opening .at its outer end through a threaded boss 47 formed on the connector.

In the construction of Figs. 5 and 6, instead of providing a separate kported sleeve member' 28, as in the construction of Figs. 1-4, this member is formed as anintegral,r ported projection 28 on the inner face of indicator body portion 17, as appears in Fig. 5. Slidably mounted in reduced bore 33 ext-ending through body portion 17 andv projection 28 is the stem 37 of the indicator plunger 38. In this form of the de* vice the indicator' plunger 38, instead of being provided with a machined, cup-shaped head, in the construction of Figs. 141, is made from a single piece of Wire, one end of which is bent to form the plunger head. The details of construction of this form of plunger 38 al'ipear clearly .in Fig. 6, 'wherein the plunger is slioivn removed from the flow indicator.

Stem 37 is loosely fitted into bore 83 of projection 28 similarly to the arrangement of the corresponding parts in the preferred form of the device in Figs. l-Ll, and, to all intents and purposes, he operation of both forms of the device is the same. The bent Wire type of plunger 38 is cheaper to manufacture, and, because of the construction of the head, offers less resistance to the flow of lubricant through the indicator.

Similarly to the construction of Figs. l-l, that of 5 and G includes cork or other gaskets 32, del located in body end portions 17', 18 and against which the ends of glass tube 39 bear irmly to prevent possible leakage of lubricant from the indicator chamber 50.

lt Will be noted that in Fig. 5 the right hand end of the device is provided with a compression Fitting similar to that at the opposite end of the device. This fitting comprises flanged nut 53 mounted on threaded boss /l and engaging with an annular bead 54 on a tube 5G, whereby the latter is tightly secured in communication with the outer end of reduced passageway 4S. vWith this ar angeinent the flow indicator may be placed anywhere in the feed line, instead of directly on the part to be lubricated, as is intended with the construction of Figs. 1-4.

The sight feed indicator of the present invention has been described as particularly adapted for use With force feed indicators of the solid oil, impulse type. Obviously, it also is adapted for efiicient use as a lubricant feed indicator in various other types of lubricating systems. It may be used in the air and oil delivery type of system, in Which case its operation is substantially the same as in the solid oil, impulse type, or it may be used With a continuous flow lubricator. It is obvious that in the application of the device last mentioned, as long as lubricant is flowing` through the system, indicator plunger 3S will remain in the ilow indicating position of Fig. 2. However, as soon as the iioiv of lubricant ceases, spring 52 will return the indicator plunger to the position of Fig. 1 to indicate that lubricant is not being delivered through the line.

llVhile two practical enibodimeuts of the device have been illustrated and described, and their adaptability for indicating the llo'w of lubricants particularly set forth, it is not .intended to limit the invention to the details of these constructions, nor to restrict the use of the device to lubricant feeders. The device may be used to indicate ellicient ly the flow of various fluids other than lubricants. Obviously, numerous changes may be made in the construction of the indi cator Without departing from the scope of the invention, except the same may be limited by the appended claims.

l. The combination in an indicator of the type described of a fluid conductor having an inlet portion and an adjoining outlet portion, said inlet portion being` provided with a passageway lea ding to said outlet portion; and a constantly observable indicator element arranged for substantial movement entirely 'within said conductor to indicate the flow of Huid through said passageway from the inlet portion of the conductor into the utlet port-ion thereof, said element having an actuating; portion of uniform cross section slidablyy mounted in said inlet portion to normally cover the inner end of the passageway andA entend a substantial distance therebeyond. said actuating portion being` adapted, upon application of duid pressure 'to its inner e d, to nieve to permit free flow of .fluid through said passageway into the outlet portion of the conductor.

2. The combination of claim 1 further characterized in that a section of the outlet portion of the conductor is of glzlss, While the actuating portion of the indicator element is in the form of a stem to which is connected a metal cylindrical head having a polished peripheral surface arranged adjacent the inner surface of the glass section, whereby the movements of the indicator ele ment may be readily observed.

An indicator element for indicators of the type described comprising an actuating stem and an indicating` head formed from a single piece of twisted Wire.

4:. An indicator element for indicators of the typo described comprising an actuating stem and an indi 'ating hea d, said head being formed to permit flou of fluid therethrough.

ln an indicator of the character de scribed, the combination of a fluid conductor; and an indicator element arranged entirely therein for rcciprocatory movement to indicate the iioiv or lach of floiv of fluid through the conductor, said element comprising an indicating head disposed in the lluid .stream and an actuating stem adapted to control the ready flow of fluid through the conductor.

(i. The combinacion of claim further charactr fed in that the entire indicating element is disposed in the fluid stream and. that said indicating head is arranged for movement axially of the fluid conductor within a transparent section thereof.

7. In a flow indicator of the tvpe described, the combination of a fluid conductor comprising an inlet portion and an outlet portion, `said inlet portion including a glass tube immediately adjoining the inlet portion; a tubular extension of the inlet portion projecting into said glass tube and provided with a plurality of transverse passages running from the bore of said tubular extension to its outer surface and through which lluid is adapted to pass from the inlet portion tothe outlet portion of the conductor; a reciprocable indicator element having an indicating head located in the glass tube and an actuating stem extending into the bore of said extension so as normally to close said passages; and a spring in the glass tube urging said element towards normal position, but adapted to yield, upon application ot fluid pressure to the inner end of the actuating stem, to permit movement of the stem to uncover said passages and allow free passage of fluid from the inlet portion into the outlet portion of the conductor.

8. The combination in an indicator body ofthe type describedof a fluid conductor having an inlet portion and an adjoining outlet portion into which a ported tubular extension of said inlet portion projects; and 1 an indicator element arranged for movement in said conductor to indicate the passage of iluid .from the inlet portion of the conductor into the outlet portion thereof, said element having an actuating portion slidably mounted in the tubular extension and normally lapping said port to prevent passage of fluid from said inlet portion of the conductor into the outlet portion, said actuating portion being adapted, upon application of fluid pressure to its inner end, to move to uncover said n port and permit free passage of fluid into the outletportion of the conductor.

9. The combination of .claim 8 further characterized in that the section of the out-y lety portion of the conductor adjacent the inlet portion thereof is a transparent tube and the indicator element is provided with a head, the movements of which maybe 0bserved through said tube.

between said inlet and outlet portions, the fit between the actuating portion of the indicator element and the inlet portion of the conductor` being sufficiently tight to cause actuation of said element to establish free connnunication between said inlet and outlet portions in order to permit passage of as small a quantity as a single drop of fluid from the inlet portion to the outlet portion ment is` disposed in the fluid stream and through which the movements of the flow indicator element may be observed, and there is a spring in the fluid conductor for effecting the return movements of the indicator element.` y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

NILFRED G. GOLESv 10. The combination in an indicator of j the type described of a fluid conductor having an inlet portion adapted to be completely filled with a fluid and an adjoining outlet portion; and an indicator element arranged for substantial movement in said conductor to indicate the passage of any quantity of, 

